Track-cleaner.



G. W. GREEN 6; J. MoI. GATER.

TRACK CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED MAR.27,1912.

Patented .Mar. 10, 19M

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES;

G. W. GREEN & J. McI. GATER. TRACK CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27,1912.

1,089,636, Patgnted Mar. 10, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSEs; v

G. W. GREEN & J. MoI'. GATER.

TRACK OLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR .27, 1912.

1,089,636. Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

T vEssEs:

G. W. GREEN & J. MOI. GATBR.

TRACK CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27,1912.

1,089,636. I Patented Mar.10,1914.

5 BHEETSSHEET 4.

WIT/VESs FS: //VVE/YTO/?6:

j 1/ 1 W W 5 16/7 W aff (7v G. W. GREEN & J. M01. CATER.

TRACK CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27,1912.

: 1,089,636. Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES, /NVENT0'R5;

MMWW BY COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH CO-,\VASHINGTON. n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WILLIAM GREEN, 0F FELTI-IA'M, AND JOHN MCILVAINE- CATER, OFLONDON,

ENGLAND.

TRACK-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 10, 1914.

Application filed March 27, 1912. Serial No. 686,546.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, GEORGE VVILLLUI GREENand JOHN MoILvAINn CATER, subjects of the King of Great Britain, theformer residing at Feltham, in the county 1 1 i l l l of Middlesex,England, and the latter in;

the city of London, England, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in;

of vertically sliding, one or more of said devices being arranged ateach side of the vehicle so that either the tread or groove Y of eachrail or both tread and groove may be cleared of foreign matter orobstructions.

The invention consists in certain improvements in the details ofconstruction of devices of the character above referred to,

said improvements having for their object to improve the generalefliciency of said devices, to cause the cleaners to bear with anelastic pressure capable of regulation upon the rail, to regulate saidpressure, to

compensate for wear of parts and to other- 1 wise improve the device asfully set forth. In the accompanying draw1ngs:F1gure 1 is a sideelevation of a railway or tramway vehicle having applied thereto a railcleaner embodying the present unprovements. Fig. 2 is a verticaltransverse sectional view, the section being taken on the line 1-1 ofFig. 1 showing the position of the cleaners with relation to the frameof the vehicle and the rails. Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly insection of a cleaner showing the parts with a slight pressure upon theblades. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan of thebracket for attaching the device to the frame of the vehicle. Fig. 6 isa part plan of the top part of the device showing full pressure appliedto the blades. Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 2--2 ofFig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detail view of part of Fig. 7 and taken at rightangles thereto. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on the line 33 ofFig. 4. Fig. 10 is a part vertical section taken on the line lt of Fig.9. Fig. 11 is a complete plan of the top of the device l i l 1 showingthe parts in the positions they would assume with a slight pressureapplied to the blades. Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on the lineof Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is an interior view of half of the device with someparts removed showing more particularly the groove blade. Fig. 1lis asimilar view of the other half of the device showing more particularlythe tread blade. Fig. 15 1s a plan of the complete case or sleeve forthe blades with the blades removed. Fig. 16 is an interior view of onehalf of the casing. Fig. 17 is a similar view of the other half of thecasing. Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the device showing the positionsassumed by the parts when the groove blade is passing over anobstruction. Fig. 19 is an end elevation of the device showing thepositions assumed by the parts when the vehicle is rounding a sharp.

curve. Fig. 20 is a similar View to Fig. 13 illustrating a modified formof blade and a modified arrangement of stop for the screw. Fig. 21 is adetail view of the bridge piece and connected parts illustrating moreparticularly the modified stop for the screw. Fig. 22 is an undersideView of Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a face view of the modified blade. Fig. 24is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 25 is a plan of Fig. 23 and Fig. 26 isa hori- Zontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 23.

n the several figures like parts are indicated by similar letters ofreference and Figs. 3 to 5 and 11 to 20 and 28 and 24 are drawn to anincreased scale and Figs. 6 to 10 and 21 22 25 and 26 are drawn to afurther increased scale with respect to the other figures of thedrawings.

a represents the frame or under-carriage of the vehicle, 6 representsthe rails or track and 0 represents the vertical base of a bracket 0which is securely fixed to the frame a of the vehicle by means of aclamping plate 0 and bolts and nuts 0 The bracket 0 consists of ahorizontal frame which is formed on or fixed to the base 0 and isprovided on opposite sides with vertical tapered lugs 0 Loosely fittingwithin the frame 0 is a case or sleeve (Z formed in two parts verticallydivided, said parts being provided with matching lugs 01 perforated toreceive rivets (l by which the two parts are securely united while atthe lower part they are held together by a band (Z shrunk or driventhereon and the sides of the case or sleeve (Z are at a suitableelevation formed with ears (Z adapted to engage the lugs 0 so that thecase (Z rests thereon.

The case or sleeve (Z is formed unequally hexagonal in horizontalsection and on the interior and opposite sides are formed a number offlat projections (Z which serve as wearing surfaces while the spacesbetween them are adapted to retain or secrete grease for lubricatingpurposes.

\Vithin the case or sleeve (Z are arranged two vertically movablecleaning blades 6, f, the one 6 is designed to clean the tread Z) of therail 6 and the other f serves to clear the groove Z1 thereof as shown atFig. 2.

The tread blade 6 is shaped to the conformation of that part of theinterior of the case or sleeve (Z in which it works and it rests againstthe wearing surfaces (Z thereof so that the frictional contact of theblade 6 and case or sleeve (Z is reduced as much as possible and saidblade is formed with a hollow or recess a and is open at one side. Theblade 6 is at its upper part formed solid, that is, with a head 6 whichis vertically bored at e and tapped to receive a screw and act as a nutthereto and in connection therewith is employed a long screw 6' whichextends through the nut and through the intervention of spring, hereinafter referred to, accomplishes the adjustment of the blade 6 withrelation to the rail 6 and the regulation of the pressure exercised bythe blade thereon, and the screw 6 is received into the hollow or recess6 and is boxed in and protected from dirt and other extraneous matter bythe other or groove blade f which fits against the edges of the hollowblade 6 and forms a cover thereto.

Extending across the top of the case or sleeve (Z and resting thereon isa bridge piece 9 having depending lugs g which embrace the case orsleeve (Z and that part of the screw 6 above the head or nut e of theblade 6 passes through a plain hole in said bridge piece g. The bridgepiece 9 is provided with a pin or stud at each end thereof and the websof the ears (Z are formed with holes (Z therein and extending betweenthe ends g of the bridge piece 9 and the ears (Z are helical extensionsprings g which at their upper ends are formed with eyes g which fitupon the pins or studs 9 where they the secured by washers g and splitpins 9 and at their lower ends the springs g are provided with hookswhich engage the holes d in the webs of the ears (1*.

The springs g serve to hold the bridge piece 9 in position but anothero-fiice is to automatically increase the pressure of the blade 6 on'thetread b of the rail 6 when extra pressure is required in order to cleanan exceptionally dirty rail or when the same is coated with ice theextra thickness of which necessarily raises the blade 6 and increasesthe tension of the springs 9 Fixed to the top part of the screw 6 is aboss 6 having a forked upper end 6 and in the fork is pivotally mountedthe inner end of a handle or lever e by the aid of which the screw 6 maybe turned and which is adapted to fold down and lie snugly on the top ofthe device when not in use, but the handle 6 need not necessarily behinged to its boss.

On the boss e to which the handle a is pivoted is provided a lug e andon the bridge piece 9 is formed a coacting lug g which, when the handle6 and consequently the screw 6 has been turned the required number ofrevolutions to exert the maximum pressure on the blade 6, is engaged bythe lug e of the handle which rises with the screw into the plane of thelug g and further motion of the handle in the same direction isprevented.

Between the boss 6 of the handle or lever e and the top of the bridgepiece 9 is interposed a helical spring or spring washer a whichencircles the upper part of the screw 6 and is thereby maintained inposition and this spring acts as a cushion between the boss 6 of thescrew 6* and the bridge piece 9. Immediately below the bridge piece 9the screw 6* is formed with a collar or shoulder 6 and between theunderside of the bridge piece 9 and the top of the collar or shoulder 0is arranged a helical spring or spring washer 0 designed to furnish thepressure necessary for forcing the blade 6 on to the tread b of the rail5.

(Z are stops on the interior of the case or sleeve (Z and 6 are coactingprojections on the head of the blade 8 for limiting the downward motionof the latter. The groove blade f is at its edges also inclined orshaped to the interior conformation of that part of the case (Z in whichit works and it is formed with a groove f on one face to receive a longscrew f while at its upper end it is formed with a head f provided witha nut f in which the screw f works.

Extending across the top of the case or sleeve (Z and resting therein isa bridge piece it having depending lugs h which embrace the case orsleeve d and that part of the screw f above; the nut f passes through aplain hole in said bridge piece h. The bridge piece it is provided witha pin or stud 72 at each end thereof and the webs of the ears (Z areformed with holes (Z therein and extending between the bridge piece 71,and the ears (Z are helical extension springs ]L3 which at their upperends are formed with eyes it which fit upon the pins or studs 71, wherethey are secured by washers k and split pins h and at their lower endsthe springs k are provided with hooks it which engage the holes (Z inthe webs of the ears d The springs if have a similar action to those gupon the bridge piece 9 and blade 6 as hereinbefore described.

Fixed to the top part of the screw 7 is a boss f having a forked upperend and in this fork is pivotally mounted the inner end of a handle orlever f by the aid of which the screw f may be turned and which isadapted to fold down and lie snugly on the top of the device when not inuse, but the handle f need not necessarily be hinged to its boss.

On the boss f of the handle f is provided a lug and on the bridge h isformed a coacting lug 71,7 which, when the handle f and consequently thescrew f has been turned the required number of revolutions to exert themaximum pressure on the blade f, is engaged by the lug f of the handle,which rises with the screw into the plane of the lug f and furthermotion of the handle in the same direction is prevented. 13etween theboss f of the screw f and the top of the bridge piece 7L is interposed ahelical spring or spring washer f which encircles the upper part of thescrew f and is thereby maintained in position and this spring acts as acushion between the boss of the screw f and the bridge piece 72Immediately below the bridge piece it the screw f is formed with acollar or shoulder f and between the bridge piece It and the collar orshoulder f is arranged a helical spring or spring washer f designed tofurnish the pressure necessary for forcing the blade f in the groove 5of the rail 6.

(l are stops on the interior of the case or sleeve d and f are coactingprojections on the head of the blade f for limiting the downward motionof the latter.

On either of the blades meeting an obstruction or when the vehicle isturning a sharp curve it is necessary that the case or sleeve cl shouldbe free to give or assume a suitable angle either in the direction ofthe track 6 or transversely thereof as shown in Figs. 18 and 19. Forthis purpose the case or sleeve is by its'ears (Z supported on thetapered lugs 0 of the bracket 0 so that it is capable of rocking underthe conditions above described and in order to hold it normally in avertical position and yet allow of the required rocking movement thecase or sleeve (Z is controlled by four powerful helical springs 2'disposed at suitable angles and at their upper ends formed with eyes 2"fitting with studs d on the top of the case or sleeve (Z and at theirlower ends provided with hooks i which engage holes in the bracket 0.

.In continued. use the blades 6 f are liable by the action of constanthammering and rubbing to enlarge the openings of the cases or sleeves attheir lower ends and in order to obviate this each case or sleeve d isin suitable positions formed with vertical recesses 7 at their upperends terminating in holes it and in each of these recesses is fitted aspring wearing piece 3' formed of hardened steel or other suitablematerial but the upper part of the wearing piece j is cranked to form alug which extends through the hole 72 in the case or sleeve 01 and isleft soft so that it may be bent down or clenched as shown in Fig. 10 inorder to retain the wearing piece j in position while by straighteningit as shown by the dotted lines in said figure the wearing piece j may,when worn or broken, be removed and replaced by a new one.

The general operation of the blade controlling mechanism may bedescribed as follows and inasmuch as the mechanism is identical inrespect of. both blades it is thought that a description of the actionof one blade will suiiice. Assuming the blade 0 to be in its raised orinoperative position then the cushion spring or washer c is more or lessclosed under the weight of the blade and connected parts as shown moreparticularly at Figs. 12, 13 and 14, and the pressure spring or washeris open and consequently does not exert any pressure upon the screw eand blade 6. lVhen however it is required to bring the blade 0intooperative position with relation to the rail 6 the handle 6 isturned to the left and the screw 0 acts upon the nut c in the head a ofthe blade 6 and the blade is lowered and brought into contact with therail 5. By continuing to turn the handle 0 in the same direction thescrew 0*, by reason of the resistance of the rail to the blade, risesand consequently removes or reduces the pressure of the boss 6 upon thecushion spring or washer e and allows the same to expand while at thesame time the pressure spring or washer e is compressed between theshoulder 6 of the screw 6 and the bridge piece g against the superiorforce of the extension springs g by which the bridge piece 9 is helddown and a comparatively light pressure is thus exerted on the blade (2while by continuing to turn the handle e the screw (2* rises farther andtakes an abutment against the bridge piece 7 which is controlled by theextension spring 9 and the turning of the handle 6 may be continueduntil. the lug c, by the rising of the screw 0', comes against the stopg which is an indication that the maximum pressure oi. the blade e uponthe rail 6 has been reached.

It will be obvious that by suitably manipulating the handle a anydesired degree of pressure within certain limits may be applied to theblade 6. In the event of either blade meeting with an obstruction suchas a more or less solid deposit of dirt on or in the rail 6 the bladescrew and bridge piece will rise bodily against the force of theextension springs, thereby automatically afl'ording additional pressureto clear away the obstruction.

Referring to Figs. 20 to 2-6 inclusive the stop 7LT for limiting themotion of the screw f instead of being arranged on top of the bridgepiece 71 is formed on the underside of said bridge piece and the lugwhich coacts therewith instead of being formed with the boss f of thehandle 7' is in this example formed on the collar 7' fixed to the screwf but the action is identical with that hereinbefore described. In thisexample the blade f is at its edges formed with ratchet like staggeredflutings f which, as sections of the blade are worn off in use, presentnew and comparatively sharp angles inclined to the rail and which areopposed to any mat ter which may be deposited thereon.

It will be understood that although the above modifications are shownand described in connection with the blade f, screw f and bridge piece hthey are equally applicable to the blade a, screw 6* and bridge piece 9.In cases where only the blade 6 or that f is re quired for use, theother blade may be omitted from the device or placed out of action.

By the means hereinbefore described a rail cleaning device of a simpleand eiiective character is obtained in which the blades are held uponthe rail with a very elastic spring pressure capable of regulation,while inasmuch as the device is adapted bodily to swing away fromobstructions or to accommodate itself to sharp curves under the controlof powerful tension springs a better efi ect is obtained in practice;furthermore the provision for the relief and repair of wearing surfacesrenders the device of a more practical character than heretofore.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare thatwhat we claim is 1. In a rail cleaning device, a bracket adapted to befixed to the frame of a vehicle, a case or sleeve loose within thebracket, means for supporting the case or sleeve upon the bracket withcapability of oscillation, blades vertically slidable within the case orsleeve and at their lower ends shaped to engage the tread and groove ofthe rail, respectively, and springs acting on the blades to cause themto bear with a spring pressure upon the rail as set forth.

2. In a rail cleaning device, a bracket adapted to be fixed to the frameof a vehicle, a casing or sleeve loose within the bracket, means forsupporting the case or sleeve upon the bracket with capability ofoscillation, extension springs fastened to the case or sleeve and to thebracket for controlling the oscillation of the case or sleeve, bladesvertically slidable within the case or sleeve and at their lower endsshaped to engage the tread and groove of the rail respectively andsprings acting on the blades to cause them to bear with a springpressure upon the rail as set forth.

3. In a rail cleaning device, a bracket adapted to be fixed to the frameof a vehicle, a casing or sleeve loose within the bracket, means forsupporting the case or sleeve upon the bracket with capability ofoscillation, means for controlling the oscillation of the case orsleeve, blades vertically slidable in the case or sleeve and adapted toengage the tread and groove of the rail, nuts pro vided on the blades,long screws working in the nuts, bridge pieces extending across the topsof the cases or sleeves and having plain holes therein through which theupper ends of the screws extend, bosses or the like fixed to the screwsabove the bridge pieces, means attached to the bosses for rotating thescrews. collars or shoulders upon the screws below the bridge pieces andextension springs attached to the bridge pieces and the case or sleevefor acting on the blades through the bridge pieces and screws as setforth.

4. In a rail cleaning device, a bracket adapted to be fixed to the frameof a vehicle, a casing or sleeve loose within the bracket, means forsupporting the case or sleeve upon the bracket, blades verticallyslidable in the case or sleeve and adapted to engage the tread andgroove of the rail, bridge pieces extending across the top of the caseor sleeve, long screws working in nuts on the blades and extendingthrough plain holes in the bridge pieces, bosses or the like fixed tothe screws above the bridge pieces, collars or shoulders upon the screwsbelow the bridge pieces, helical compression springs interposed betweenthe bosses and bridge pieces, helical springs interposed between thebridge pieces and collars or shoulders of the screws for causing theblades to bear with a spring pressure upon the rail, means for turningthe screws, and extension springs attached to the bridge pieces and tothe case or sleeve for acting on the blades through the bridge pieces,helical springs and screws as set forth,

5. In a rail cleaning device comprising a case or sleeve having bladesslidable therein and regulated by screws working in nuts thereon andextending through bridge pieces and acted on thereby, extension springsattached to the case or sleeve and the bridge pieces and means forturning the screws comprising handles or levers having a pivotalconnection therewith so as to fold down out of the way when not in useas set forth.

6. In a rail cleaning device comprising a case or sleeve having railcleaning blades vertically slidable therein and acted upon by extensionsprings through the medium of bridge pieces and long screws, alongitudinal hollow or recess in one of the blades in which its screw isfitted and covered by the other blade and a longitudinal groove in thelatter blade in which its screw is fitted. as set forth.

7. In a rail cleaning device, a case or sleeve having rail clearingblades vertically slidable therein, bridge pieces extending across thetop, long screws extending through the bridge pieces and engaging nutson the blades, bosses fixed to the screws above the bridge pieces andprovided with means for turning the screws, extension springs for actingupon the blades through the bridge pieces and screws, lugs or offsetsfixed to the screws and stops carried by parts fixed against rotation,said stops being arranged in the paths traversed by the lugs when themaximum pressure has been applied to the blades by the turning of thescrews as set forth.

8. In a rail cleaning device comprising a case or sleeve having railclearing blades vertically slidable therein and acted upon by springs,recesses or pockets terminating in holes formed interiorly of the casingor sleeve at the lower part thereof and hardened steel spring wearingpieces fitted into said pockets and at their upper ends cranked toextend through the holes and softened at that part so as to adapt saidcranked parts to be clenched as set forth.

9. In a rail cleaning device comprising a case or sleeve having bladesslidable therein, the edges of the blades being provided with flutingsor indentations arranged in staggered fashion as set forth, so as alwaysto expose the cutting edge as the bottom of the blade is worn down.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE WVILLIAM GREEN. JOHN MGILVAIN E CATER. lVitnesses:

C. H. WHITE, HERBERT D. JAMESON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G."

